A Taste for Success

For David Abes, the new COO of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, a restaurant-packed résumé proves to be a winning recipe.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT “I love that every day is something different—most importantly the people. Everyone has a story,” says Buckhead Life Restaurant Group COO David Abes.

"My parents took me out to eat at nice restaurants when I was a kid and I always was intrigued by the energy and excitement at restaurants,” explains restaurant industry veteran David Abes. The newly minted COO of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group boasts a résumé that reads like a review of the top tables in town. He was most recently the director of operations for New York-based LDV Hospitality, having a heavy hand in the openings of buzzy The Shops Buckhead Atlanta eateries Dolce and Corso Coffee. Before coming to LDV Hospitality, Abes spent 14 years as director of operations for Here to Serve Restaurants and also boasts impressive stints at Atlanta Fish Market and Horseradish Grill. But Abes’ latest dish is that Buckhead Life will soon debut a Lobster Bar Sea Grille in South Beach, Fla., this fall. The Atlanta restaurants will also undergo a renaissance, thanks to updated menus soon to be revealed. Embracing his new foodie family, Abes appreciates the talented team at Buckhead Life that includes founding family, the Karatassos clan. “Everyone is so passionate about quality and wowing the guests,” he says. The gourmand also appreciates that his new gig allows dining options as balanced as his well-seasoned résumé. “From a croque-monsieur at Bistro Niko to chef Piero Pemoli’s regional menu at Pricci, I can eat around the world every day at Buckhead Life,” he says, laughing. A taste of the good life, indeed.

ABES’ HOTSCraft beer, comfort desserts, hot tea

ABES’ NOTSDrinks that take 10 minutes to make, overpriced wine, people who don’t smile